GENCON or Origins?

Just seeing who plans to be at either one. I went to Origins last year and had fun even though I was stiffed on a Fantasy Tourney.

I plan on returning to Origins to get all the cheap ass Mini's, AEG guys for L5R, and get in a tourney hopefully.

Who has been to both and what are the pros and cons of each?

Can we be represented by a good amount of us going up in a tourney?

Not sure if i plan on attending.

I've only gone to origins in the past... good time. Always wanted to got to Gencon.

Want to provide links and dates for the uninitiated?

As far as a big group going, that could be cool. More of a chance getting a big group of caggers going to a GT imo though.

I would like to see who would be interested in going and maybe get a big suite to chip in to sleep!
Reduce the cost of a room.
The sooner the better.

http://www.originsgamefair.com/

http://www.gencon.com/

Origins is closer. Gencon has in the past about 3x as many people passing through. Both tend to have Games Workshop tournaments, run by players not GW. Both have good dealers rooms that may vary a little year by year depending on the management. When Origins changed organizer hands they did suffer for a year or two but recently I've been happy with it.

Timing tends to be little more important for me. Origins around the 4th of July weekend. Gencon has at least one day landing on August 18th although this year that isn't the case (cosmic), starting just after.

My buddy Nick goes to both. Normally he gets a hotel rooms nearby both convention centers and goes a day early. Although being a little late this year he messed up with Gencon and will have a room a bit farther out.

I tend to only go for about two days to either or both depending on what's going on that summer. Last year missed both for a major airsoft event down at Zumman Mount Base. So may try to go to both this year.

Ok I'm heading to Origins again this Year just bought the Badges for my wife and I and booked a Hotel room 2 blocks away! Anybody else gonna try and compete or just walk around?

Gen Con rocks face and I will be there (again) running an event for Infinity as well as playing in an AT43 event (if FFG get's it together).

Anyways, the big draw back for GC is cost - entry/accomodations/travel. Best cost option is to make a 1 day trip up and back or stay far enough off campus that the hotel prices are reasonable. For me, I love staying in downtown and experiencing the Con at 4 am.

Nothing like the mix of standard bar flunkies and gamers at the all night Steak and Shake in the early morning.

jgemrich wrote:

Anyways, the big draw back for GC is cost - entry/accomodations/travel. Best cost option is to make a 1 day trip up and back or stay far enough off campus that the hotel prices are reasonable. For me, I love staying in downtown and experiencing the Con at 4 am.

I usually make the one day trip mainly because I won't stay in a hotel when I'm a hour away from home. And the steak and shake there is good.

The Hooters out there isn't so bad either.

You like hooters...? The women aren't all that to look at...

makari wrote:

You like hooters...? The women aren't all that to look at...

Are you sure you're male?



Anyway, Origins and Gencon both roXXor hard. Origins is more of your tradition con, sponsored by GAMA, so the profits go to supporting the industry. The people are awesome(er?) and really friendly. It's good times.


Gencon while also awesome is crazy packed. I think they broke the 25K mark for attendance last year. Also, Gencon has electronic gaming as well as traditional gaming. Personally, that means the games I play (small Indy games) are stuck in basements and are blocks away from the convention center. Still, Gencon is awesome, but more and more of it is "marketing" with MMO companies and their huge banners and epic booths. It's almost like E3 and Origins had a dirty love child...and that became Gencon. Also, Gencon is profit based.


Anyway, I enjoy both conventions a lot. Nothing like 4 days straight of gaming with less than 12 hours of sleep...Total

And TTG will be running stuff at both!

Just revamping the idea as it draws nearer. Who is going? I wanna get some games in up there. Oldeworldwarriors is running some tourneys but isn't returning any emails for me to get info or to register, anyone know them?

I'll probably at origins the first two days....then to meet my GFs grandparents in Shittsburgh for the first time.

makari wrote:

Just revamping the idea as it draws nearer. Who is going?

Nick is set, he booked his early as possible (I think for Origins some hotels will let you book before/as the convention ends, Gecon is more strict). Things are looking realy bad for me to hit Origins even go for a day trip. Will have to redouble my efforts for Gencon.